Fence-post.



PATENTED Nov. 5, 1907.

J. H. FITZGIBBON.

PEN GE POST.

APPLIOATION Hum MAR. 2s. 1907.

I N VEN TOR W i j/M/a l ATTaRNa-Ys.

UNITED STATES PfENT 'OFFICE JAMES H. FITZGIBBON, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN;

FENCE-Pos1'.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. FrrzGIBBoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, county of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specification. i

My invention relates to improvements in metallic felice posts and it pertains -to that class which are adapted to be made of a single piece oi sheet metal.

The object of my invention is to provide a post of such contour andarrangcment ot' cooperating parts that it comprises in a single symmetrical structure the greatest possible strength with the least weight of material, while it is adapted to stand firmly in the ground and resist the greatest lateral strain to which i it will under normal conditions be subjected while it may also be used for supporting either a board or wire felice or for supporting both boards and wires in the same fence as circumstances require.

The construction ofmyI invention is further explained by reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a transverse section drawn on line x-:r of Fig. l, and Fig. 3 is a detail showing the upper end of the post provided with anoverlapping cap.

Like parts are identified by the same reference letters throughout the several views.

My post omprises a longitudinal cylindrical central member A, two semi-cylindrical side members B, B, two horizontal anchor plates C, C, two vertical strengthening plates D, D, and a cap plate E, all of which parts are formed integrally by cutting and bending from a single piece lof flexible sheet metal. To facilitate fastening boards to the posts I preferably provide the central cylindrical member A with a cylindrical bar F which is formed in the desired shape and inserted within the folds of the central cylindrical member as it is being formed when it is' secured rigidly in place by the resilient action-of the metal which is forced around and firmly against it. The central cylindrical member 'is preferably provided with a series of perforations G for the reception of the board retaining nails when boards are used in the construction of a fence, while the respective edges of the respective semicircular side members are provided -with a series of perforations I, I, and angular slits .-I, J, for the reception of the wires when the'posts are used in the construction of a 'wire fence. l

It'will be understood that when desirous to support wires from the posts the V-shaped slits J are opened for the reception of the wires by bending the upper ends Specification of Letters Patent. i Application led March 2B, 1907. Serial No. 365.085.

Patented Nov. 5, 1907.

of the angular pointed members K laterally, whereby the wires may be readily inserted into the perforations `I. When the wires have been thus inserted the ypointed members K are bent back to their original vertical position above the wire, whereby the wire is securely retained in place, When desirous to cover the bar F, the cap E is formed integrally with one of the side members B and is bent over into a horizontal position, shown in Fig. 3, above the bar when it serves to cover up and shield the bar from the elcments.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. A metallic post comprising a longitudinal cylindrical central member, and two longitudinal semi-cylindrical side members formed integrally from a, single piece of sheet metal, said semi-circular side members being curved for wai-diy partially around said cylindrical central member, and means for supp .rting the transversely .arranged fence material from the vertical edges ot said semi-circular sido members.

2.' A metallic post comprising a longitudinal cylindrical central member, and two longitudinal semi-cylindrical side members formed integrally -from a single piece of metal said semi-circular side member being curved forwardly partially around said cylindrical central member and a solid wooden member supported within said cylindrical central member and means for supporting the transversely arranged fence material. from the vertical edge of said semi-circular side members and the vertical center of said cylindrical central member between the edges of said verticui side members.

3. A metallic post comprising a longitudinal cylindrical central member, :1nd two longitudinal semi-cylindrical side members, two horizontal anchorage members and two vertical members connected at their lower edges with said horizontal anchorage members, all of said parts being formell integrully from u single piece of metal and said posts being provided with means for securing the transversely arranged material thereto.

4. A metallic fence post comprising a longitudinal cylindrical central member provided with a longitudinal Series of perfor-ations, and two longitudinal semiscylindrical side members, each provided with a longitudinal Series of perfor-ations and longitudinal series of diagonal slits communicating from said last named series of perforations to the vertical edges of said side members -for the reception of fence wires, all of said parts being formed integrally from :l single piece of metal, u vertical wooden mem ber centrally .located within said longitudinal central member, two laterally projecting anchorage plates and two vertically arranged strengthening plates all of said plates except said wooden member being formed integrally from a single piece of metal, allsubstantially as and for the purpose specified.

ence of two witnesses.

JAMES H. FITZGIBBON.

Witnesses: I

Jas. B. EnwxN, O. R.- Enwm. 

